Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas: What to Wear This Holiday

The best Thanksgiving outfit is one you can actually live in: stand in it, sit in it, and eat a second helping in it. For most gatherings, that means a bottom with real give at the waist, a knit or silk top in a warm fall shade, and a boot you can stay on your feet in all day.

Thanksgiving asks more of an outfit than a regular fall day does. You might be in a hot kitchen at eleven, on a cold porch at two, and still at the table at nine. If it photographs beautifully but pinches by the second course, it's not the right outfit. Here's how to get both.

What is the dress code for Thanksgiving?

There's no official Thanksgiving dress code, but most gatherings tend to fall somewhere between elevated everyday and properly dressed up. It’s worth asking your host which kind of gathering you’re walking into before you plan your outfit.

For a family gathering at home, think elevated everyday. Nobody’s expecting a gown, but sweatpants probably aren’t the move either. Your favorite dark-wash jeans with a cozy sweater and ankle boots is an easy combination that feels comfortable but still considered.

If you're heading to a smart-casual dinner, you can take things up a notch. Think of it as the occasion for one considered piece to do the work: a silk slip skirt with a fine knit and heeled boots, for example.

For a formal dinner or restaurant, expect a clearer step up, particularly if there are family photos involved. Tailored wide-leg trousers or a midi dress paired with a blazer and heels will strike the right balance without feeling overly dressed.

And if you're hosting, comfort matters just as much as looking the part. You'll likely be on your feet and moving around all day, so opt for sleeves you can push up and fabrics that can survive an enthusiastic splash of gravy.

Dress for Comfort

Most Thanksgiving outfit regrets start at the waistband. After a day of grazing, going back for seconds and lingering around the dinner table, the last thing you want is something digging into your stomach. If you know you don't love anything too restrictive around your middle, choose your bottoms first, then build the rest of your outfit around them.

Look for denim with real recovery, rather than a rigid pair that feels comfortable at 4pm but starts to pinch after dinner. Our Lift Tuck® Technology uses a criss-cross panel at the front to smooth and support, while our extremely stretchy jeans offer even more flexibility when you want plenty of give. A relaxed straight or wide leg silhouette can also give you a little more room through the hip and thigh.

And if you'd rather forget about your waistband altogether, a floaty midi skirt or softly draped dress is an easy alternative. A silk slip skirt in bronze or deep berry feels polished enough for the occasion while leaving plenty of room to get comfortable after dinner.

What color do we wear on Thanksgiving?

There's no official Thanksgiving color, but the palette that always works is already outside your window this time of year: chocolate and chestnut brown, deep red, dark green, rust, camel, cream.

Brown is the one to reach for this year. A tonal look, brown jeans with a cream knit and a tan boot, looks far more put-together than it actually takes to pull off. Deep red feels festive without reading like Christmas came early, and forest and olive greens are flattering on nearly everyone under warm indoor light.

Don't count out florals, either. A small, dark floral print in fall tones, worn as a blouse under a knit or as a midi dress on its own, gives a table full of solids something to look at.

Four fabrics worth wearing this year

Texture is what separates a Thanksgiving outfit from any other day in November.

• Suede. Warm, tactile, everywhere right now. The easiest way to wear it well is to repeat it, a faux suede jacket with a boot, belt, or bag in the same tone, so it reads as one outfit instead of a pile of separates.

• Corduroy. Cozy, a little nostalgic, genuinely warm. Corduroy in a fine wale gives you the texture without feeling heavy after hours in a chair.

• Silk. A slip skirt or silk trousers dress the day up fast, and silk with a lace trim is having a real moment. Pair it with a chunky knit instead of a blouse for something warmer and easier to sit in.

• Knit. This is where the small details matter most. A cable, a rib, a fine stripe, or a cardigan with gold buttons is what turns a simple outfit into one that looks considered.

Five Thanksgiving outfits that work

• Comfortable and cozy. Dark wash straight jeans, a cream cable knit, tan ankle boots, gold hoops. Warm, comfortable, hard to get wrong.

• The shirtdress. A casual shirtdress in a check or fall floral, worn with tights and boots, and a belt if you want more shape. One piece, and you’re ready to go.

• The plaid skirt. A midi plaid skirt, a fitted black knit, a knee boot. Classic, and the skirt does most of the work on its own.

• Silk and knit. A silk slip skirt with a chunky sweater tucked loosely at the front. Dressy enough for a restaurant, easy enough to sit in for hours.

• The matching set. A knit set, or a trouser and top in the same tone. The least effort for the most finished look, and ideal on a morning you're cooking.

A word on boots

Boots are the Thanksgiving shoe, but be honest with yourself about your day before you pick the heel. Hosting or helping in the kitchen? A flat or block-heeled ankle boot will still feel good at eight that night. Arriving as a guest to a set table? A heeled knee boot with a midi skirt or wide leg jeans earns its keep. Just break in anything new the week before, never on the day itself.

The takeaway

Get the bottoms right first. Pick a fall color you already feel good in. Add one texture, suede, corduroy, silk, that makes the outfit feel finished. Everything else falls into place from there.

Start with the piece you'll wear the longest: browse our fall jeans and fall knitwear, or take the denim fit quiz if you're not sure which cut is yours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code for Thanksgiving?

Smart casual for most family gatherings at home. A restaurant or formal dinner calls for tailored trousers, a dress, or a skirt with a heel. When you're not sure, ask the host.

Can you wear jeans on Thanksgiving?

Yes, most people do. A dark wash straight, bootcut, or wide leg jean with a knit and boots fits nearly every Thanksgiving setting short of a black-tie dinner.

What should I wear if I'm not sure how dressy it will be?

A dark wash jean or a midi skirt, plus a blazer or structured jacket you can add or take off. That way you can dress it up or down the moment you walk in.